FRIDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Polar expeditions can have both positive and negative effects on the psyche, according to a study published in the July 26 issue of The Lancet.
Lawrence A. Palinkas, Ph.D., of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and Peter Suedfeld, Ph.D., of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, conducted a literature review on the psychological effects of polar expeditions which included treks and stays at summer camps or year-round research stations.
Due to long periods of isolation and confinement and the extreme physical surroundings, polar expeditioners may report sleep disruption, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, reduced alertness, depression and interpersonal tension with team members. Specifically, one study included in the analysis showed that 88 percent of men and 77 percent of women had sleep problems lasting for at least two weeks. Polar expeditioners do, however, experience salutogenic effects as a result of successfully coping with stress, enhanced self-sufficiency, improvements in health and personal growth.
"Continued research in the psychological effects of polar expeditions is important, because it helps us to better understand some of the underlying principles of behavior in isolated and confined environments," the study authors concluded.
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